Ranunculus ficaria | Lesser celandine

A buttery yellow wildflower

We have a community pond at the end of our road, and at this time of year its edges are a sea of yellow with celandine flowers. They seem to love the damp conditions, and the shade provided by a small stand of trees edging the footpath. The buttery yellow blooms, which are about 2cm across against glossy dark green foliage, represent “Joys to come” in the language of flowers.

A sea of celandines at our local pond. Ranunculus ficaria, lesser celandine, yellow flower, photographed March 2014 in Seaford.